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Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza after rockets fired

Israel says it has carried out a series of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip after three rockets fired...
Newstalk
Newstalk

05.59 19 Aug 2014


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Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza af...

Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza after rockets fired

Newstalk
Newstalk

05.59 19 Aug 2014


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Israel says it has carried out a series of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip after three rockets fired by Palestinian militants hit the south of the country. The latest round of violence broke a days-long truce that had been extended on Monday night for another 24 hours.

The Israeli military said the rockets landed in open areas near the city of Beersheba. There were no reports of casualties.

The Israel Defence Forces said on Twitter "Terrorists have violated the ceasefire."

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And Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said "This rocket attack on Beersheba is a grave and direction violation of the ceasefire."

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his military to strike Gaza "terror targets", according to an official.

Speaking earlier through a translator, Mr Netanyahu said his country was prepared "for very strong action" if rocket attacks from Gaza resume.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket attacks.

But shortly before the launch, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum hinted of more rocket fire, saying "If Netanyahu doesn't understand...the language of politics in Cairo, we know how to make him understand."

The extension to the five-day truce had been agreed between Israel and Gaza rulers Hamas and was due to expire at 10pm (Irish time) on Tuesday night.

Egyptian-brokered negotiations have been taking place over how to end the weeks-long conflict. Mr Netanyahu has now reportedly ordered his negotiators in Egypt's capital Cairo to return home.

Israel launched its military offensive on July 8th to stop rocket fire from the Palestinian territory. In over a month of fighting, nearly 2,000 Palestinians have been killed, the majority of them civilians.

67 Israelis have been killed - all but three of them soldiers.

Hamas is seeking an end to a seven-year Israeli-Egypt blockade that has hit Gaza's economy hard. Israel wants the militant group to disarm.

'Serious consequences for relief efforts'

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has said a resumption of hostilities would have "serious consequences for ongoing relief efforts and recovery planning."

It says the number of displaced people sheltering in UNRWA schools has climbed to 237,659. It adds that 81 shelters remain open.

"The total number of displaced UNRWA is supporting in its own and in non-UNRWA shelters is almost 266,000. The priority for the Agency continues to be the supply of food, water, and non food items, and protection to all displaced in UNRWA schools," it says.

Yesterday, UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl met with family members of the 11 personnel UNRWA lost over the course of the past month. He also visited shelters and UNRWA schools that were damaged over the course of the conflict.

Mr Krähenbühl warned "You cannot just return to the pre-existing conditions under the blockade."

In an interview with the New York Times, Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza, Robert Turner, spoke about displacement and the housing crisis in the Gaza Strip. "We'll get lots of money to rebuild homes we can't rebuild, but we won't get the money to help these people help themselves," he said.

"You cannot do widespread shelter construction unless construction material is free and available in the local market. Which it's not, and is it ever going to be?" he added.

Originally published 05:55


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